IBM Helps Oracle Clients Move to IBM Workload Optimized Systems

Making the Switch Can Save Clients Up To 50 Percent on Applicable IT Costs

ARMONK, N.Y. - In a move to help more Oracle software and hardware clients break free from restrictive licensing and rising technology costs, IBM (NYSE: IBM) today launched a new migration program to make it easier to transition to IBM workload optimized systems. Oracle clients that make the switch can save up to 50 percent on applicable IT costs over three to five years.(1)

Clients using Oracle database and application server software running on Sun, HP Itanium, or previous generation POWER servers, can take advantage of a complimentary savings assessment, detailed migration plan, skills training, and special financing when moving to IBM DB2 and WebSphere software on the latest IBM Systems and Storage.

The Stop, Think, and Save program comes at a time when Oracle clients are looking for relief from the company’s high software and hardware maintenance costs, restrictive licensing and support practices, and uncertainty around Sun SPARC and HP Itanium server roadmaps.

To help clients further reduce IT costs and migrate to an IBM platform, credit-qualified clients can take advantage of zero percent financing on IBM hardware and software from IBM Global Financing, the lending and leasing arm of IBM.(2) Or, clients may choose to finance their IT acquisition and defer payments for up to six months. IBM Global Financing also can assist in the removal and disposal of OEM hardware, including Sun or HP hardware, in compliance with environmental laws and regulations.

IBM has nearly a half century of experience in building vertically integrated systems having invested billions in R&D and acquisitions and accelerating innovation across hardware, microprocessors, systems software, middleware, and testing centers for ISVs, Business Partners and clients.

More clients are moving away from Oracle software and hardware to IBM workload optimized systems in order to lower their IT costs and fuel innovation. In 2010 alone, more than 1,000 Oracle Database clients chose DB2 instead, and more than 400 Oracle WebLogic clients chose WebSphere.

IBM had a record 847 competitive displacements in Q2 2011 for servers and storage systems, including 253 from Oracle/Sun and 248 from HP. IBM Power Systems achieved 334 client displacements in Q2, about two-thirds (210) displaced Oracle/Sun, while the remaining third (110) displaced HP.

IBM recently announced the Escorts Group, one of India’s leading engineering conglomerates, will receive a workload-optimized hardware solution to replace the company’s existing ERP system infrastructure. During the hardware evaluation process, the company considered various options including Itanium-based servers from HP and Oracle’s Exadata. The company chose IBM Power® 750 Express® and IBM Power 740 Express systems, IBM System Storage® DS5000s, and Tivoli software. In addition to gains in performance and reliability, the IBM technology is expected to provide Escorts Group with savings in power and cooling costs of between 30 to 35 percent over a three year period.

In Latvia, JSC Rietumu Banka, one of the leading banks in the Baltic States, migrated its mobile banking systems from Oracle and Sun to an IBM workload optimized system running DB2 on Power. As a result, the bank has improved database performance by 300 percent, boosted data availability by 200 percent, and lowered administration costs more than 20 percent.

(1) IT cost savings reflect potential overall reductions in software and/or hardware maintenance charges and reduced costs of system and workload management that may be achieved over a period of 3-5 years, when consolidating workloads from other systems to IBM. Software migration is from Oracle database and/or application server to comparable IBM DB2 and IBM WebSphere products. Actual cost savings and performance characteristics will vary depending on individual client configurations. Complimentary services, training and education will vary by client and may not be available in every country.

(2) IBM Global Financing offerings are provided through IBM Credit LLC in the United States and other IBM subsidiaries and divisions worldwide to qualified commercial and government clients. Rates and availability are based on a client’s credit rating, financing terms, offering type, equipment and product type and options, and may vary by country. Non-hardware items must be one-time, non-recurring charges and are financed by means of loans. Other restrictions may apply. Rates and offerings are subject to change, extension or withdrawal without notice and may not be available in all countries.